Accession Number:

ADA564898

Title:

How Simulator Interfaces Affect Transfer of Training: Comparing Wearable and Desktop Systems

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Mar 2010-Sep 2011

Corporate Author:

ARMY RESEARCH INST FOR THE BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES FORT BELVOIR VA

Personal Author(s):

• Barnett, John S.
• Taylor, Grant S.

Report Date:

2012-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

26.0

Abstract:

The present research compared the training effectiveness of a wearable computer interface versus a desktop interface. Teams of two participants were trained in military hostage rescue procedures, one using the wearable interface, a second group using a desktop interface, while a control group was trained in a live physical room using replica weapons and military equipment. Teams completed four training sessions, followed by four test sessions in the live room. Teams were scored on number of correct actions and time to complete the session. The control condition performed significantly better on the test scenarios than either of the simulator conditions. However, there were no significant differences in performance between the wearable or desktop simulation conditions. The number of correct actions for both simulator conditions were statistically equivalent, and slightly lower than the control condition. There was also no significant difference between the two simulator training groups in terms of time to complete the test scenarios. Both simulator conditions were significantly slower to complete the scenarios than the control condition, with the magnitude of this difference diminishing over time.

Descriptors:

• *MAN COMPUTER INTERFACE
• *TRANSFER OF TRAINING
• COGNITIVE SCIENCE
• COMPARISON
• HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING
• TRAINING DEVICES
• VIRTUAL REALITY

Subject Categories:

• Personnel Management and Labor Relations
• Computer Hardware
• Human Factors Engineering and Man Machine Systems

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE